Pastors are a varied lot.
I grew up with bi-vocational ministers and have served as one myself—at one point prepping sermons in my head while I landscaped. Bi-vocational ministry is the case for many today—especially in rural or immigrant communities.
For instance, I met an African who once led a huge congregation in his home country that would dwarf almost every church in Canada. Today, displaced by war, he leads a small congregation in Canada while working as a support worker in a nursing home. His ministry reflects the journey of other immigrants or refugees whose previous careers were upended by unexpected disruption. If your pastor is bi-vocational—or a glorified volunteer—they face unique challenges.
I’ve also been privileged to serve in churches where I could be supported full-time and give full attention to ministry. That’s freeing in some ways, but if your pastor fits this category, they still face challenges.
How can men honor these servants of God who are set apart by congregations to lead in various capacities?
1. Understand what their calling is and isn’t.
The Apostle Paul is clear that church leaders are called to equip the saints (i.e., every Christian) for ministry in the Body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-13). A leader’s job is to offer their gifts so that every Christian can contribute to a church that is mature and on mission in the world. That’s the job—equipping Christians to be Christian and on mission together. Pastors are not called to do ministry for you or entertain you. They are called to equip you. So, honor them by understanding this, holding them to it when the tendency to people-please or become a social media star sucks them in, and offering yourself ready to be equipped and mobilized for the great task of being the Church for the glory of God.
Pastors are not called to do ministry for you or entertain you. They are called to equip you.
2. Remember they are human.
Every pastor is a growing disciple just like you. Every pastor has needs like you. Every pastor faces questions, fears, and even doubts. They are often lonely, criticized, and expected to address problems God alone can solve. They are constant givers—and giving to others and being “on” constantly is exhausting and costly, can feed the ego and narcissism, and opens the door to the same temptations you face.
The Apostle Paul acknowledged the humanity of his ministry protege, Timothy, even counseling him to look after his tummy when he was ill (1 Timothy 5:23). Yes, your pastor is that human. They are, like you, redeemed by the strong love of God revealed in Jesus Christ, so honor their humanity, their redeemed life and history, their whole life, and contend for their flourishing as a human being with flesh, blood, a beating heart, emotions, and even stomachaches.
3. Make their work joyful.
As Global Director of the World Evangelical Alliance’s Peace and Reconciliation Network, I am humbled by the suffering I see pastors endure around the world as they equip and form congregations that will look and act like Jesus the Prince of Peace, often in hostile territory. A pastor is a frontline warrior with battle scars. They often take spiritual and even physical blows you don’t see. They will be held highly accountable for what they teach (James 3:1). They deal with wolves that attack and sheep that bite. They deal with conflicts and fights. They pray for you. They think of you. They hope for Jesus to be revealed to you and through you. They simply want you to “get it.”
A pastor is a frontline warrior with battle scars. They often take spiritual and even physical blows you don’t see.
Honor them by giving them your confidence (not to be confused with a “blank cheque”) and accept their authority (not to be confused with control). This giving of confidence and submission to spiritual authority honors the Christ-like pastor so that, as Hebrews 13:17 says, “their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.”
So, in the end, it turns out that when you honor your pastor, it’s good for you. And, that’s the way, uh-huh, uh-huh, a Christlike pastor likes it!
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